Need more fiberglass and gelcoat refinishing procedures please..

[RangerR73]

Ok.. so I have been reading alot on here and on other sites about reparing gelcoat and fiberglass. Ill post some pics with this so you get a better idea. As far ans the bottom of the boat and reair i need in the fiberglass, most of it isn't that deep just past the paint and gelcoat. I've called about having it redone and most palces want a fortune and said that they hate matching up the flake. So im going to do it myself. The fiberglass galss work I'll figure out seen a few videos and doesn't look that bad to work with. I'll get all the fiber work done on the bottom then work on the paint and gelcoat for those parts. Ive already stripped the top of the boat and started wet sanding. The question i have about the top half is there are parts of it that have pretty good size chunks missing, can i fill them in with gel coat and then sand it down? Right below the rub guard there are alot of chips and scratches that arent too deep but i wannt to get tthem out. I was gonna wet sand them but can i use an orbital sander or am i going to have to hand sand it all.?do you all have an idea of what is the best thing to do.The 3 bodyshops i called about it said it would be around 1800 to 3000 and an 1800 minimum aint goina cut it. As soon as it warms up ill get sstarted .

And we also need to start a buy sell or trade section.. 20130310_102814.jpg20130310_102927.jpg20130224_105714.jpg20130310_102826.jpg20130310_102845.jpg

[87GT183]

sent you a PM.

[Wolfsmurf]

Is that foam visible in the last pic on the corner?

[cotherman]

$1800 would be a STEAL, $3000 is reasonable. They earn it.

[g352nv]

Ok.. so I have been reading alot on here and on other sites about reparing gelcoat and fiberglass. Ill post some pics with this so you get a better idea. As far ans the bottom of the boat and reair i need in the fiberglass, most of it isn't that deep just past the paint and gelcoat. I've called about having it redone and most palces want a fortune and said that they hate matching up the flake. So im going to do it myself. The fiberglass galss work I'll figure out seen a few videos and doesn't look that bad to work with. I'll get all the fiber work done on the bottom then work on the paint and gelcoat for those parts. Ive already stripped the top of the boat and started wet sanding. The question i have about the top half is there are parts of it that have pretty good size chunks missing, can i fill them in with gel coat and then sand it down? Right below the rub guard there are alot of chips and scratches that arent too deep but i wannt to get tthem out. I was gonna wet sand them but can i use an orbital sander or am i going to have to hand sand it all.?do you all have an idea of what is the best thing to do.The 3 bodyshops i called about it said it would be around 1800 to 3000 and an 1800 minimum aint goina cut it. As soon as it warms up ill get sstarted .

And we also need to start a buy sell or trade section.. 20130310_102814.jpg20130310_102927.jpg20130224_105714.jpg20130310_102826.jpg20130310_102845.jpg

Depending on how bad the gouges are, you'll want to use a glaze if not bad. Sand, fill, sand, leave a little fat for the primer. If they are deeper get yourself some kitty hair and proceed the same way.
Ive shot automotive for a long time. I shot gel for the first time a couple months a go. If was pretty easy. Once you have your color on make sure you plow on the clear gel on top. You'll be sanding it smooth in the end so you'll want a good build up.

[g352nv]

BTW look just like the color I just shot.

This was black gel with apple red flake over it.

[RangerR73]

Yes i does look like that. It looks like the damage is just down to the glass no further. i am going to start with glassing the rear and the all lower end stuff that needs it. Thanks for all the advise. as far as the chips in the clear on the top can i fill them in with gel and sand them down? And can i use an electric orbital or sander of some sort on the bow to sand out heavieer scratchs..?

[Hawg]

I don't think I'd touch that boat for $3K. you can get the flake from Ranger, the problem you are running into is that you have 3 different colors of flake and they you will have they gray gelcote/flake line along the bottom, it is really tough to get that straight and getting it to look right. Barely sand through any of that flake when wetsanding the orange peel out and it'll turn silver and you'll be re-flaking the area. blending in flake can be a pain, takes time to get it right.

Good Luck!

[g352nv]

I don't think I'd touch that boat for $3K. you can get the flake from Ranger, the problem you are running into is that you have 3 different colors of flake and they you will have they gray gelcote/flake line along the bottom, it is really tough to get that straight and getting it to look right. Barely sand through any of that flake when wetsanding the orange peel out and it'll turn silver and you'll be re-flaking the area. blending in flake can be a pain, takes time to get it right.

Good Luck!

I would be all over it! So if you have a problem blending it redo the whole boat. Lets see, new interior 1000.00 new carpet 200.00 new gel 500.00 plus labor. It will be like a new boat for what, 5k? Sounds pretty awesome to me.

[omcforever]

Picture #5 shows some serious damage that IS thru and has some serious fracturing. Must all be ground out to good glass and on that boat, the compartments are there and cannot be reached from inside without cutting. A proper repair for that would have to be both inside and out to be proper and safe, Cannot just cover that or put on some glass hair on it. Repairing glass and shooting polyflake is both expensive and labor intensive. $1800 sounds cheap and I would make sure you knew exactly what was being done. Picture #2 also shows serious damage. When ever you see a big spot of light dull glass that is jagged and fractured surrounded by regular dark and even glass, that is damage that has to be removed and area patched(properly). Cannot just cover and fill. Would be very weak. You have a very big job ahead of you. Good luck.